Whether you cast your ballot in person or through the convenience of the mail, I urge you to participate in the special statewide election on November 8th. There is no greater civic responsibility than to exercise your right to vote. Elections are the highest expression of civic participation that we have in a free society, and we must cherish, honor, and protect this privilege faithfully.

There are several important measures for your consideration on the upcoming ballot.These measures were placed on the ballot through the initiative process.

On this web site, you will find information to assist you in making informed choices. Impartial analyses, arguments in favor and against the measures, the official summaries, texts of the measures themselves, and other useful information is presented here as your one-stop educational point of reference. There is also a link to campaign finance disclosure information above so you can learn who is funding the campaigns.

Special statewide elections are not a common occurrence and often result in a lower turnout than in regularly scheduled elections. But with issues on this ballot that affect social, financial, medical, and educational areas, making the commitment to voice your opinions through the ballot box is a wise investment.

Please let my office or your local elections official know if you have questions, ideas, or concerns about registering to vote or voting. We have a toll-free hotline for contacting
us—1-800-345-VOTE.

Thank you for being a part of California’s future by casting your ballot in the November 8th special statewide election.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTNESS

I, Bruce McPherson, Secretary of State of the State of California, do hereby certify that the measures included herein will be submitted to the electors of the State of California at the Special Statewide Election to be held throughout the State on November 8, 2005, and that this guide has been correctly prepared in accordance with the law.

Witness my hand and the Great Seal of the State in Sacramento, California, this 15th day of August, 2005.